Railway signal mechanism.



No. 642,848. Patented Feb. 6, I900.

S. L. NEELY.

RAILWAY SIGNAL MECHANISM.

(Application filed May 10, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet I.

IIHJ I asses 16 Z220 JMOII LM N0. 642,848. Patented Feb. 6, I900. S. L. NEELY.

RAILWAY SIGNAL MECHANiSM.

(Application filed May 10, 1899.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets- Sheefi 2,

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No. 642,848. Patented Feb. 6, I900. s. L. NEELY.

, RAILWAY SIGNAL MECHANISM.

(Application filed May 10, 1899.)

(No Model.) 7 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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PATENT Fries;

SAMUEL L. NEELY, OF PIERRON, ILLINOIS.

RAIQLWAY SIGNAL M ECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,848, dated February 6, 1900.

Application filed May 10, 1899. Serial No. 716,271. (No model.)

T0 at whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL L. NEELY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pierron, in the county of Bond and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Railway Signal Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electrically-operated signal systems in general, and more particularly to the alarm mechanism thereof when used as a warning at railroad crossings or switches, due, and has for its object to provide a construction in which the bell-ringing mechanism is of a cheap and simple construction and may be located entirely Within the bowl of the bell in such a manner as to not retard the vibrations of the bowl or in any other way restrict or limit the tone or sound of the bell.

A further object of the invention is to combine with this bell-ringing mechanism a conveniently-located battery-box for the reception of the batteries, whether such batteries be employed to energize a local circuit including a relay or whether they be included in a simple track-circuit. I also arrange within the battery-box a compartment for the reception of a relay when a local circuit is to be used.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bird-guard for the mouth of the bell and also to provide simple means for adapting the striking mechanism to a double or single stroke.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a View, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing a bell with its supporting means and having its striking mechanism in a local circuit which is closed through the medium of a relay from a simple form of track-circuit closer. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the strikingmechanismremoved from the bell. Fig. 3 is a detail showing a second form of support for the bell and its mechanism. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective showing a portion of the striker-lever, the base of the striker-arm, and a simple form of nut-lock employed by me to prevent movement of the jam-nut upon the striker-arm.

Referring now to the drawings, in operating in accordance with my invention I providea bell-bowl 6 of any desired shape and having a lug 7 arranged centrally of its upper end and upon the outer face thereof, which lug is preferably formed integral. A vertical perforation is formed through the lug 7 and the contiguous portion of the bell, which said perforation is threaded to receive a holl0w-headed bolt 8, which projects upwardly above the lug 7 and with its head within the bowl of the bell. The bolt 8 is threaded externally to engage the threads of said perforation, and clamped between the head of the bolt and the upper portion of the inner surface of the bowl is a U-shaped hanger 9, the legs of which are threaded to receive nuts for a purpose hereinafter described.

Carried by the legs of p the hanger 9 is a base 11, secured to said hanger through the medium of upper and lower straps 12 and 13, respectively, having perforations therein. These straps are so located that the perforation in each upper strap is in alinement with the perforation in its corresponding lower strap, and through these perforations the legs of the hanger are passed, displacement being prevented through the medium of the nuts 10 above referred to.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, to the base 11 is fastened a plate 14, to which is secured an arch 15, within which is pivoted a striker-lever 16after the manner commonly employed in telegraph-Sounders, &c. Adjacent to the arch 15 is secured upon the upper face of the lever 16 an armature 17 in the field of force of an electromagnet, comprising coils 18 upon cores 19, which latter are connected by means of a back armature 20, forming the common style of U-shaped electromagnet. This electromagnet is so disposed that the lever 16 may play between the coils thereof. 1

Fixed upon the plate let is a standard 21, having a horizontal extension 22, provided with a depression, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2,) and in which depression is seated one end of a helical spring 23. The projection 22 extends in the direction of the electromagnet, and the upper end of the spring 23 is constructed to embrace the lower end of a tension-screw 24, passed through a threaded perforation in the lever 16 and held from accidental displacement by means of a jam-nut 25, adapted to engage the upper face of said lever.

In order to limit the downward movement of the striker end of the lever 16, I pass a stopscrew 26 through a threaded perforation in the lever 16 in a position to engage the upper surface of the standard 21. This is capable of adjustment in its perforation and is held in place by means of the usual jam-nut 27, similar in form and operation to the jamnut 25.

Extending from the upper portion of the standard 21 and in a direction away from the projection 22 is a second horizontalprojection 28, having a laterally-disposed U-shaped eX- tension 29, the legs of which lie in a common plane and inclose the upper and lower faces and one side of the lever 10. A stop-screw 30, passed downwardly through a threaded perforation in the upper leg of the extension 29, is engaged by the adjacent end of the lever 16 andlimits its upward movement, a jam-nut 31, carried by the screw 30, acting to hold the latter in position. i

The lever 16 is extended beyond the extension 29 and the base 11 and is provided with a plurality of transverse-threaded perforations 32. Into one of these perforations is turned a threaded stem 33 of a striker, having a head 34, adapted for engagement with the adjacent portion of the bell-bowl to cause it to vibrate and give forth a sound. To prevent accidental displacement of thestriker, I employa jam-nut 35 upon the stem 33 thereof, which nut engages the adjacent face of the lever 16.

In order to lock the nut 35, I have provided a plate 36, U-shaped in cross-section, a portion 37 being stamped from the web of the plate and perforated, as shown in Fig. 4, the resultant opening being such as to receive the lever 16,with the legs of the plate lying closely upon the side faces of the lever. The plate is held against longitudinal movement with respect to the lever through the medium ofa screw 38, passed through the perforation in the portion 37 and into the alining perforation 32. It will be readily understood that the stem 33 may be entered in any one of the perforations 32, that the plate 36 when conditions will allow may be attached at either side of the striker, and that when the striker-stem extends through the lever 16 the nut 35 may be upon the projecting end.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings I have shown a second striker comprising a stem 39 and a head 40, carried by the lever 16 and projecting in an opposite direction from the firstnamed striker. This construction may be employed when desired or may be omitted, and when employed the result is a doublestroke bell.

The lever 16 is projected beyond the supporting-arch 15 in a direction away from the electromagnet and carries at its adjacent extremity the contact 40, haVingacontact-point standard 45, which is of metal.

41, of platinum or other refractory metal, adapted to engage with a similar contactplate 42, carried by a spring-arm 43, rigidly secured to a standard 45, carried by the base 11, which latteris ofinsulating material, such as wood, vulcanite, or similar substance. A jam-nut 46 is provided for the screw 40. Upon the base 11 are binding-posts 42 and 43, of which bindin g-post42 is connected directly with one free terminal of coils 18, the other post 43 being electrically connected with the The second free terminal of coils 18 is electrically connected With the contact-screw 40 through the medium of the lever 16, supporting-arch 15, and plate 14. The parts of my device are so adjusted that the lever 16 will normally hang with the contact-screw 40 in engagement with the plate 42 and with the armature 17 so positioned with respect to the cores 19 that when attracted thereby the screw 40 will be drawn away from the plate 42 and thus break a circuit which shall have been previously closed through the binding-posts 42 and 43.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the striking apparatus just described is located within the bowl and engaging no portion thereof excepting that part comprising and directly surrounding its center of vibration.

In order to protect the bowl of the bellfrom falling elements, I provide a shield or cover 50 of substantially bell shape and having a central perforation to receive the stem of the bolt 8, and whereby it may be slipped down over said stem and inclose the bowl of the bell to a point adjacent its rim. This shield engages directly the upper face of the lug 7, and is separated from the outer surface of the bell-bowl by an interspace in order that it may in no wise retard the vibration of the bowl. To support the bell and its striking mechanism, I may employ any one of a variety of means, and in Fig. 1 is shown a circular broken strap, the ends of which are bent downwardly and inclose the face of the upper end of the supporting-pole 52, to which they are secured by means of bolts 53 or in any other desired manner. In order to attach the bell to this support, I form an opening diametrically opposite the supporting-post 5,2, and through which opening the stem of the bolt 8 is passed. Resting upon the upper portion of the support 51, which latter is preferably broadened, as shown, to form a more extended bearing-surface, is a box 54, having a suitable closure 55, and within which box are located the batteries for energizing the electromagnets 18. The connections between the batteries 18 and the binding-posts 42 and 43 are made by means of wires 56, which are passed upwardly through the hollow bolt 8 and into the box 54, the box being held against removal by means of a nut 57 engaging the threaded stem of the bolt and seated'upon a washer 58, which impinges tho floor of the box.

Where a simple direct connection is made from the track-circuit closer and the batteries 59 within the battery-box 54, said box comprises a single compartment, and the wires from said box may be led off in any desired manner; but when it is desired to employ a local circuit for the bell-ringing apparatus I divide the box 54 into an upper and a lower compartment, in which upper compartment is located a common form of relay 60, adapted to close the local circuit comprising the batteries 59 and coils 18. From the main-line binding-posts 61, which are in circuit with the relay-coils 62,connections are made with whatever form of track-circuit closer 63 that may be employed in the system.

In order to prevent birds building their nests within the bowl of the bell, and thus retarding its vibration or preventing the operation of the striking mechanism, I provide a disk 65,which may be formed of a single sheet of metal, either solid or perforated, or may consist of a hoop having a foraminous coverin g. This guard is held a slight distance from the rim of the bell in any desired manner. In Fig. 1 I have shown an angular support secured to the post 52 through the medium of a strap 66, while in Fig. 3 of the drawings I have shown the guard supported by means of an arm extending laterally from a post 52, from which also extends laterally an angleiron 51, having an opening in its outer end through which the bolt 8 of the bell-bowl 6 is passed. This figure shows an alternative means for supporting the bell and its mechanism from a pole or other support.

Thus it will be seen that my mechanism may be employed under several conditions and that it may be used in connection with a local circuit and relay and with a simple circuit; also, it will be readily understood that the energizing means need not be contiguous to the hell, but that it may be located at any desired point, and that a plurality of bells equipped with my striking mechanism may be connected in series with a single source of energy either in a simple circuit or in a local circuit closed through the medium of a relay.

The operation of my mechanism is as follows: Taking first a case in which my bell and its apparatus are in a local circuit and are influenced bya relay, as shown in Fig. 1, upon the closure of the main line through the track-circuit closer 63 the relay-coils 62 will be energized and in attracting their armature will close the local circuit, including batteries 59 and coils 18, in the manner well known. The local circuit being closed, the electromagnet, including coils 18, will immediately attract its armature 17, causing the strikerhead 34 to engage the adjacent portion of the bell-bowl and cause it to vibrate. This movement of the armature 17 carries the lever 16 against the tendency of the spring 23 and at the same time tends to draw the screw40 from the contact-plate 42. The elasticity of the spring 43 causes the plate to follow the screw for a short distance, and when the plate ceases to follow the circuit between the screw and plate is broken, the electromagnet looses its energy, and the lever 16 is returned to its original position by means of the spring 23.

WVhen two strikers are employed, as shown in Fig. 2 the return of the lever 16 under the influence of the spring 23 causes the strikerhead &0 to engage the bell and intensify its vibration. It will be readily understood that this vibratory action of the lever 16,and therewith of the striker-heads 40 and 34, will continue so long as the local circuit is closed. If the relay be omitted, the connections will be directly with the track-circuit closer and the operation of the striking mechanism will be the same.

It will be readily understood that I may employ any form of supporting mechanism, that I may include my apparatus in connection with any other apparatus with which it is capable of operating, that I may vary the specific arrangement herein shown and described, and that I may em ploy any materials that may be deemed expedient for any of the parts.

It will be further understood that in order to secure a more powerful stroke of the bell I may employ compound electromagnets operating 'upon a common armature and arranged in theusual manner of this style of electromagnet.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is-- 1. The combination with a bell and the bowl thereof, said bowl having a perforation, of a hollow-headed stem passed through said perforation with its head within the bell, electromechanical striking mechanism having a hanger clamped between said head and the adjacent inner surface of the bell, electrical connections for said mechanism passedloosely through the stem, a support disposed upon the stem, exteriorly of the bell, a nut upon the stem and holding the support against displacement, and a battery-box mounted upon the stem and communicating with the bell through the stem.

2. The combination with a vibratory body, of a hollow stem passed through the center of vibration of the body, electromechanical strikin g mechanism supported from said stem,

an inclosure for the body impaled upon the stem, a support for the body engaging the stem adjacent the inclosure, a receptacle having an opening through which the stem is passed, a source of electricity within the receptacle, and electrical connections between said source and the striking mechanism and passing through the stem, substantially as described.

3. An electrically-operated striking mechanism comprising a vibratory lever, an electromagnet adapted to vibrate the lever, a striker comprising a head and a stem engaging the lever, a jam-nut upon the stem, and a U-shaped plate slidably arranged upon the lever and adapted to receive the nut, and means for holding the plate in a fixed position, substantially as described.

4. An electromagnetic striking mechanism comprising a base, a vibratory lever pivotally supported upon the base, a make-and-break comprising said lever, an electromagnet in the circuit of the make-and-break, an armature carried by the lever and in the field of the magnet, a standard having a lateral projection, a spring carried by the projection and having connection with the lever, an adjustable stop screw carried by the lever and adapted to engage the standard, a U-shaped projection from the standard inclosin g the lever, a stop-screw carried by said projection and adapted for engagement with the lever, and a striker carried by the lever, substantially as described.

5. An electromagnet striking mechanism comprising a base, a vibratory lever pivotally supported upon the base, a make-and-break including said lever, an electromagnet in the circuit of the make-and-break, an armature carried by the lever and in the field of the magnet, an adjustable and yieldable stop in the path of the lever, a fixed stop adapted to limit the movement of the lever against the adjacent stop, means for limiting the arc of vibration of the lever, and a striker adj ustably connected with the lever, substantially as described.

6. An electromechanical striking mechanism comprising a base, a vibratory lever pivotally supported from the base, a make-andbreak comprising said lever, an electromagnet in the circuit of said make-and-break, an arm ature for the magnet carried by the lever, a standard carried by the base, a spring carried by the standard and adapted to resist the movement of the lever under the influence of the electromagnet, an adjustable stop-screw carried by the lever and adapted to engage the standard to limit the movement of the lever and its armature in the direction of the electromagnet, an extension of the standard havinga stop-screw adapted to limit the movement of the lever under the influence of the said resistance, a striker comprising a thread- 7. The combination with a vibratory body having a hollow stem, of electromechanical striking mechanism within the body, a receptacle supported from said stem, a source of electricity within said receptacle, a relay also within the receptacle, and an electric circuit including said source, the relay and the striking mechanism and passed through the stem, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a bell and the bowl thereof having a central threaded perforation and a surrounding lug upon the outer surface of the bowl, of a threaded hollow stem having a head and passed upwardly through said perforation and in engagement with the threads thereof, a hanger within the bowl threaded upon the stem and clamped between the stem-head and the bowl of the bell, electromechanical striking mechanism supported from said hanger, an inclosure having a threaded perforation through which said stem is passed, a support for said bell and inclosure having a threaded perforation with which the stem is engaged, a receptacle having an opening through which the stem is entered, a clamping-nut upon the stem within the receptacle, a source of electricity within the receptacle, and electrical connections between said source and the striker mechanism passed through the stem, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a vibratory body and means for vibrating it, of a support for the body, a strap secured to the snpport,'and an annular guard lying adjacent the mouth of the body and having a support passed beneath and then outwardly and over the strap, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL L. NEELY.

Witnesses:

DON. V. POINDEXTER, LEoPoLD KNEBEL. 

